Yet
another world opens up for Herbal Harry when he tells of his experiences in the Amazon, whose fascinating fauna he first experienced nine years ago. Since then, he spends at least four months a year there – not in a hotel, naturally, but with the locals. This is highly unusual given the extreme suspicion with which foreigners are generally regarded by the native residents of the remote Amazonian villages. Once again, Herbal Harry’s “natural gift” came in handy when it came to being accepted by the locals. Only this time, it was his sensitive handling of people, not herbs. The entire tribe was dependent on water from a river that was often contaminated by natural bacteria. Harry found it hard to believe how so many residents could be suffering from diarrhoea and Tokka fever, given that close by, around two kilometres away, there was a fresh-water source that the locals’ faith prevented them from using. “The water is
only for Him,” they said, referring to their god. Herbal Harry considered how he could encourage the local resi dents to use the clean, fresh water despite their belief in Mantu. The next day he asked them : “When does Mantu drink the water – at night or in the daytime ?” He added : “I believe that Mantu drinks at night, since he spends the day time watching over you.” The locals gave this some thought and decided Harry was right. Some weeks later, a simply constructed water pipe with a tap was complete. Every morning the chief now opens this tap, and the residents can use the water throughout the day. This was the clever idea that won Herbal Harry the locals’ trust, and he has since supported the residents with new pragmatic ideas. Not to change their lives, but to help them with healing products. In return he learns from the locals how they live in their “unspoiled” world.
Kräuterharry beim Sammeln mit seinem Kräuterkorb Herbal Harry collecting with his basket
Unsere Wanderung neigt sich dem Ende zu, und Harrys Kräuterkorb ist nun fast voll. Gefüllt mit dem vielfältigsten Wissen, das uns die Natur geben kann. Irgendwie spüre ich in mir drinnen, dass es für mich nicht nur eine Wanderung war, sondern viel mehr. Es war wie ein Besuch in einer Bibliothek, aber viel lebendiger, mit Buchseiten, die überall in der Natur verstreut sind. An Bäumen hängend, klein gefaltet in Blüten oder verschlüsselt in den Wurzeln. Und Kräuterharry liest mir jede Seite aus dieser, nein, aus seiner Welt vor. Tschüss, Harry ! Our hike slowly comes to an end, and Harry’s basket of herbs is almost full. Bursting with the most diverse knowledge nature has to offer. Somehow I feel within myself that this was not just a hike for me, it was much more than that. It was like a visit to a library, but much more lively, with pages strewn all over nature – hanging on trees, folded delicately into flowers or hidden in the roots. And Herbal Harry reads to me every page from this world, a world that he has made his own. Bye, Harry !
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